Reviews show a clear split between long-term customers who describe easy booking, attentive reps and enjoyable holidays, and more recent reports of abrupt cancellations and refund problems. Multiple reviewers specifically cite delayed or missing refunds and limited communication after the company ceased operations in parts of the UK. At the same time, many customers describe positive booking interactions, prompt email confirmations and helpful agents when services were functioning. If you are researching Balkan Holidays, check whether your booking was affected by the company’s closure announcements and keep documentation of payments and communications to support any refund claims.
Examples from available reviews (Oct 2017 – Feb 2026).
They closed UK operations, cancelled booking, and offered no support.
“cancelled my booking without warning.”
Customer praises prompt, helpful calls and quick discount application.
“Amazing customer service, efficient, helpful and polite.”
Long-term customer expresses sadness but trusts refunds are being processed.
“I had 9 good years going with bulkan holidays to sunny beach”
Company ceased local operations and hasn't refunded or contacted the customer.
“we're still awaiting our refund of all the money we've paid into the account.”
Customers give mixed reports: many praise helpful reps and problem resolution, while several cite abrupt cancellations and impolite service interactions.
Several customers report lost payments, unpaid refunds and unexpected charges; a smaller group recalls reasonable prices and good value previously.
Booking process and agent interactions are often described as easy and efficient; occasional negatives focus on luggage fees and timing of flights.
Mentions of hotels and itineraries are limited but generally positive: clean rooms, well-planned holidays and repeat customers praising accommodations.
Communication is inconsistent: some reviews describe prompt, clear replies and confirmations; others report no contact about cancellations or refunds.
Overall impressions vary: many long-standing customers recall positive trips, while a substantial group report cancelled bookings and unresolved refund issues.
For each review, the core experience based on original source reviews.
Sources: Trustpilot (22) · Reviews (7) · Reviews (1) · Quotes shortened · As of: February 2026
Received a fast refund but misses Aberdeen departures.
“Fast refund but wish they still did holidays from Aberdeen”
Booking cancelled within a week due to UK closure; refund outstanding.
“I'm yet to receive my refund.”
Company ceased local operations and hasn't refunded or contacted the customer.
“we're still awaiting our refund of all the money we've paid into the account.”
They ceased trading after taking payment and still requested feedback.
“They took my money and announced this the following day.”
They cancelled bookings two days after booking and still took payment.
“Balken cancelled all bookings only 2 days after booking”
Long-term customer expresses sadness but trusts refunds are being processed.
“I had 9 good years going with bulkan holidays to sunny beach”
They took payment and shut down two days after booking.
“They took my money. 2 days later they shut down.”
Holiday was cancelled so reviewer unlikely to give a good review.
“Unlikely to receive a good review after cancelling my holiday”
Holiday cancelled with no refund and no communication from the company.
“Holiday cancelled and still no refund and no communication”
Booking cancelled within a week due to UK closure; refund pending.
“cancelled it saying no longer operating from the UK.”
They closed UK operations, cancelled booking, and offered no support.
“cancelled my booking without warning.”
They took a deposit, then cancelled the holiday and are not answering the phone.
“we get a email saying they have cancelled the holiday”
Company cancelled my holiday; reviewer appreciates staff response and difficulty.
“You cancelled my holiday.”
Complains about luggage charges and Belfast flight timing, praises past experience.
“we have to pay £30 each to put our 10kg case in hold.”
Booking process was easy and straightforward.
“Easily booked”
Positive longstanding experience praising planning, reps, and reasonable prices.
“Great company, easy to deal with.”
Customer praises prompt, helpful calls and quick discount application.
“Amazing customer service, efficient, helpful and polite.”
Booking process is very easy and offers excellent prices.
“Really easy to use booking process and excellent prices”
Customer service resolved the reviewer's problem.
“Sorted my problem for me”
Booking was straightforward and easy to complete.
“Easy to book”
Longtime customer praises friendly, efficient booking agent and looks forward.
“Having travelled to Bulgaria 43 times with Balkan holidays”
Easy to book with and no problems experienced.
“Easy to book with and especially no problems.”
Family enjoyed a clean hotel, decent food and helpful staff.
“The hotel was clean, modern and comfy”
Enjoyed Sunny Beach holiday; flights and hotel were satisfactory.
“it was great.”
Hotel was clean, well-located and overall excellent.
“The hotel is clean, fantastic position next to the slope”
I wish I could have discovered your holiday services earlier. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that after a long online search, my husband found you. Our holiday in Bulgaria was fantastic. Our stay at Hotel $Apartment Sunny Day Club was exceptional. They had clean , elegant rooms and the meals were very luscious. The most exciting thing was the proximity to the beach. The kids really had fun. The only flaw is in your customer service, they need to be a little polite and patient with the customers. All of them, you deserve a four-star for the great princess, proper planning and choosing amazing destinations with unique accommodations.
Excellent customer service and a stress-free holiday at Nessebar Bay.
“Excellent customer service from Balkan Holidays.”
Hotel reviews showed poor cleanliness and cancellation meant losing 50%.
“pictures of bed bugs, dirty showers”
Trip marred by dispute and poor customer service regarding insurance.
“their Customer service is dreadful in my opinion”
Reviewer received multiple discounts and praised customer service and savings.
“Great Customer Service and money saving offeres in this age of "Austerity”
This page combines submitted experiences with public reviews from platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, etc. Recurring points are summarised without changing the content of reviews.
Balkan Holidays was a UK tour operator specialising in package holidays to Balkan destinations, most notably Bulgaria. The company arranged flights, accommodation and booking support for customers in the UK and Northern Ireland market.